Back in 2013, Kevin Hartz, co-founder of Eventbrite, made the observation that “live experiences are the new luxury goods.” This declaration came at a time when modern factories, supply chains, and online marketplaces like Amazon had effectively commoditized physical products, such as shoes, kitchen utensils, and clothing, leading to an oversaturation of options. Consequently, the satisfaction derived from purchasing tangible items waned, prompting a shift in preference toward finite, real-world experiences.
The crux of the matter is this: while there are countless options for purchasing items like tennis shoes or spatulas online, there are only a limited number of opportunities to witness an artist like Taylor Swift performing live on stage. This scarcity in experiences has led to a surge in their perceived value, with ticket prices for such events skyrocketing, while consumer goods, like shoes, remain relatively affordable.
A similar dynamic is now unfolding in the realm of large language models and generative AI, where the inexhaustible capacity to generate content is making human-centered services and experiences increasingly rare and, consequently, more desirable.
AI models have reached a point where they can autonomously create text, software code, medical diagnoses, images, voices, music, and videos, among other things. The barriers to using these technologies have diminished significantly, opening the door for anyone to employ tools like ChatGPT, GPT-4, or DALL-E to generate a vast quantity of content efficiently.
On the surface, this technological progress seems like a boon for society, promising enhanced efficiency in various tasks and the potential for more affordable and accessible products and services, as noted by venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. However, it comes with an inevitable consequence: the increased demand for human-centered experiences and services.
As more tasks become automated by AI, there is a growing desire for personalized, human touch in various domains. For instance, as AI becomes more involved in restaurant operations, the demand for personal chefs like John Barone, who serves a wealthy Silicon Valley couple, continues to rise. In education, despite the proliferation of AI tutor bots, the affluent are willing to pay for exclusive access to the best human tutors for their children. Similarly, as robo-advisors manage financial investments, the wealthy opt for the expertise of human advisors to oversee their family offices.
Even in seemingly mundane areas like email marketing, the rapid advancement of generative AI tools makes it easier to produce marketing copy, resulting in a deluge of automated emails that may overwhelm recipients. In this scenario, a hand-typed email from a real human becomes a rare and appreciated form of communication.
The education sector is also experiencing a transformation, with AI models beginning to revolutionize the way students are taught. While AI can personalize the learning experience, offering a curated approach, it still cannot replace the appeal of small classrooms with human educators. This is evident in the continued demand for top private schools in Silicon Valley, emphasizing small student-to-faculty ratios.
Furthermore, the management of substantial wealth accumulated by successful tech entrepreneurs remains a realm where human expertise is irreplaceable. Even quantitative hedge fund firms, which employ machine learning techniques, rely on human judgment to navigate the ever-changing dynamics of financial markets.
The influence of AI extends to social media, where AI-generated content competes with human content creators. Platforms like Meta are introducing AI assistants with distinct personalities, which, in the future, will interact with users. However, the demand for authentic human interactions remains, making human creators valuable.
In the field of medicine, AI models are excelling at tasks like answering medical questions and analyzing health data. Yet, when it comes to the health of their children, affluent parents still seek out the expertise of human doctors. This trend is exemplified by the rise of medical concierge services that provide exclusive access to human health specialists.
In the end, Hartz’s perspective on the evolving concept of luxury can be categorized into three key factors: utility, value, and signaling. While AI and automation can handle many routine tasks and functions, humans remain essential for activities that offer unique value or experiences. As technology continues to evolve, the role of humans in providing finite, one-of-a-kind services and experiences will become increasingly paramount.
